In Episode 98 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez sits down with Jen Neumann, CEO and owner of deNovo Marketing, to break down the findings from the 2025 AI Consumer Survey—a study her team launched to understand how real people feel about AI showing up in ads, emails, and digital content. The results reveal a mix of curiosity, confusion, and contradiction that every brand—especially DTC brands—should pay attention to.

One of the biggest surprises? Marketers think they're great at spotting AI, but the survey shows they actually scored lower than non-marketers.

With AI-generated images looking more polished and more realistic than ever, many consumers now assume most content is AI—even when it's not. And in a moment where trust is already running low, that assumption can change how people interpret and react to a brand's message.

Listeners will learn:
• Why consumers say AI matters to their decisions—but don't always act that way
• How AI-generated content can unintentionally "make a brand look cheap"
• Why authenticity and a less-polished aesthetic are gaining importance
• The difference between impulse buys, necessities, and higher-stakes "considered purchases"
• What Agentic Shopping could mean for brand awareness and attribution

Jen shares why brands need clear boundaries around AI use, starting with an internal policy that aligns with who they are and how they want to show up in the market. Whether your brand is mass-market or premium, digital-first or experiential, the real takeaway is simple: consumers are paying attention, and AI can help—or hurt—depending on how thoughtfully it's used.

For brand leaders and marketers across industries, this episode offers a grounded look at what's shifting in consumer perception and how to stay authentic, trustworthy, and strategic as AI becomes a bigger part of the customer journey.

In Episode 97 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez welcomes back Carla Johnson, globally recognized innovation architect, keynote speaker, and author of Rethink Innovation. Together, they explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping creativity, collaboration, and business innovation — and why human curiosity remains the ultimate competitive advantage.

Carla introduces her framework, the "Curiosity Compass," which helps leaders and teams shift from using AI solely for efficiency to harnessing it as a catalyst for imagination and strategic thinking. As she explains, "If innovation and creative thinking is all about connecting the dots, AI gives us the opportunity to collect an exponentially larger pool of dots to help us prompt that process." By distinguishing between the Efficiency Zone (tactical and logistical use) and the Imagination Zone (strategic and exploratory thinking), she reveals how AI can spark deeper creative inquiry rather than replace it.

The conversation explores how AI is reshaping the innovation process by helping people think more broadly, test ideas more confidently. Rather than relying on AI only for efficiency, Carla explains that the real opportunity lies in using it within the "imagination zone," where more strategic and exploratory questions unlock deeper insights.

Listeners will learn:
• How to use AI to move beyond tactical efficiency into strategic innovation
• Why creativity and curiosity are essential to human-AI collaboration
• How to apply the Curiosity Compass to everyday business challenges
• Why the next wave of AI will accelerate prototyping, entrepreneurship, and creative thinking across all industries

For business leaders, sales & marketing professionals, and operational teams, this episode offers a roadmap for building curiosity-driven cultures that leverage AI to expand — not limit — imagination. As Carla reminds us, "It's not that AI that will replace your job, but somebody who knows AI absolutely will." Whether you're leading a marketing team, launching new products, or designing smarter systems, this episode is a must-listen for anyone eager to redefine what innovation means in the AI era.

In Episode 96 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez welcomes Alane Boyd, co-founder of BiggestGoal.ai, to explore how "agentic AI" is transforming the way businesses automate, scale, and innovate. As a serial entrepreneur and automation expert who has built and sold companies across marketing and technology, Alane has a clear mission: to make workdays easier and help teams focus on what truly drives growth.

Alane breaks down what sets agentic AI apart from traditional automation or generative tools like ChatGPT. Instead of relying on constant prompts, these "skilled intern" systems can independently manage workflows—from content production and customer service to data management and training documentation. As Alane explains, "Automation only works when it's built on a process that's already clear and consistent."

Throughout the conversation, Alane shares real-world examples of how companies are using AI agents to eliminate busywork and unlock strategic capacity. From podcast production to eCommerce customer support, businesses are freeing up their workload by embedding AI into repeatable tasks. She also explains why documenting processes manually before automating them is critical to avoid magnifying inefficiencies.

Listeners will learn:
• What "agentic AI" is and how it differs from generative AI tools
• How to document and standardize processes before introducing automation
• Practical examples of AI agents used in marketing, data, and operations workflows
• The risks of data misuse in free AI tools—and how to maintain security through closed-loop systems
• Why ongoing AI training and change management are now essential for every organization

For all businesses, the message is especially clear: as competitors embrace automation, those who fail to evolve risk being left behind. Alane emphasizes that AI isn't about replacing people—it's about empowering teams to work smarter, reduce burnout, and focus on creative, revenue-driving work. Whether you're leading a marketing department, optimizing operations, or modernizing a service business, this episode provides a playbook for turning AI from a buzzword into a true business advantage.